We’ve invited seven artists – six Americans and one Swede – who create paintings, sculptures, photographs and scientific illustrations inspired by bugs and their amazing communities, behaviors and design. Be tickled by these creepy-crawly artworks and learn more about the wonderful world of insects in our kids’ experience area. Crawl through an ant tunnel, see the world the way honeybees do, and learn lots of fun things about these tiny creatures that play a big role in our ecosystem. Art meets science in wonderful ways. Whether you appreciate the beauty or the gross-out factor of bugs, kids and grownups alike will be thrilled by these artistic insects. The tiny world of insects inspires them big time and will inspire you, too.

THE ARTISTS

Steven Kutcher, Hollywood’s go-to guy for insect training, uses bugs as moving paintbrushes. He puts paint on their feet, then guides them across paper to make patterns, some based on famous artworks. Joan Danziger’s wire and glass insects are charming and colorful, and some are four feet long – those are some big bugs! Magnus Muhr photographs fly bodies and makes cartoon drawings around them that portray flies doing the things that people do. Jennifer Angus pins real bodies of insects to walls (ick!) creating unbelievable designs inspired by Victorian wallpaper. Patrick Vincent combines portraits of real people with the bug of their choice. Leroy Mize takes old pipe wrenches and welds steel parts to create grasshoppers. Dr. Barrett Klein, a biology professor at University of Wisconsin, combines his scientific study with illustration and video.

ALICE’S VISION CONTINUES

Click to download this fun activity sheet!

The Sabatini Family Foundation supports our Annual Art Exhibit for Children to get kids involved in and excited by the arts at an early age. Summer at the library not only offers a cool, family friendly art experience, but also a reading challenge and events kids really dig! While art experiences develop creative skills, summer reading is proven to improve kids’ reading scores when they return to school. The library is where it’s at to keep kids reading and learning all summer long. Sign up for summer reading now at www.summerfest.tscpl.org!

Related Events

First Friday ArtWalk
Friday | June 7 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM | Sabatini Gallery
Friday | July 5 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM | Sabatini Gallery
Nibble on some food during opening night and enjoy a first look at the new art exhibit, Unearthed! Look for eye-popping bug art. Keep in mind in July some galleries won’t be open, but we will! All ages welcome.

Chum up to some insect specimens from Washburn University. Dr. Rodrigo Mercader, assistant professor of biology, talks about insects and shows their patterning,mimicry and colors. Ages: 5–12 and families.

Bugged!

Saturday | June 15 | 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Sabatini Gallery

Make your own unique bug to take home and creep out your mom and younger siblings! Patterns and colors provided. Just bring your imagination. Registration required. Call 580-4515. Ages: 5–10 years.

Bugging You with Artist Patrick Vincent

Monday | June 17 | 2 – 3 PM | Marvin Auditorium

Learn about the fascinating art of printmaking and make your own bug print t-shirt. T-shirt and supplies provided. Vincent shares how he creates his art, which combines human and insect components to create new creatures. Ages: Teens.

World, Art & You—Pastels

Friday | June 21 | 10 – 11:45 AM | Marvin 101 A

Artist Daska teaches the basics of drawing with pastels. Learn how to use this bright, easy-flowing art medium to create artworks. Free, but registration required: 580-4515.

Joan Danziger Artist Talk

Friday | July 12 | 7 – 8:30 PM | Marvin 101C

Unearthed features Joan’s phenomenal glass and wire bugs. Hear about her other projects, where she gets her ideas, and how she makes her delightful sculptures.